COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 23, 2007 – American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) is among 20 companies nationwide that are recognized in the June edition of Working Mother magazine as “best companies for multicultural women.”

AEP is the only company based in central Ohio, and the only electric utility, to be honored. The company received the same recognition last year from the national publication, which targets mothers with careers.

“We’re very gratified that Working Mother has chosen AEP for this honor two consecutive years,” said Michael G. Morris, AEP’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This speaks to AEP’s efforts to provide a rewarding work environment for all of our employees.”

Candidates for recognition provided 2006 data about hiring, compensation and promotion of multicultural employees and information about workplace culture, diversity activities and work/life programs. Working Mother’s emphasis this year was on representation, recruitment and retention of women of color.

“AEP’s efforts to recruit women of color extend beyond forming partnerships with diversity outreach firms and universities with high minority representation,” said Mary Cofer, AEP’s director of diversity and culture. “Much of our success can be credited to working with mainstream universities to find the best candidates available for both full-time employment and cooperative education opportunities at AEP.”

The honored companies will be formally recognized at the Women of Color Multicultural Conference sponsored by Working Mother Media in New York City July 24-25.

Earlier this spring, AEP was named one of the top 30 companies for women executives by the National Association for Female Executives, which is affiliated with Working Mother Media. In 2002 and 2004, Working Mother selected AEP as one of the 100 best companies for working mothers.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.